Unsuck DC Metro: Crime Spike Triggers University of Maryland Advisory

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Crime Spike Triggers University of Maryland Advisory

A crime spike on Metro under the tenure of embattled Metro Transit Police Department Chief Michael Taborn, has triggered the University of Maryland to issue an unusual "safety advisory," encouraging students and employees to utilize "walking escorts" and shuttle buses around the College Park Metro station.

The advisory cites the well publicized fight at Gallery Place/L'Enfant back in August, the recent assault at L'Enfant, and an incident we'd never heard about in which a group of juveniles, exited a train at Union Station and threw a jug of tea at a man, breaking his nose.

From an anonymous reader:

The email advisory with the subject "Safety Advisory - DC Metro System Incidents" was sent to what I assume is the entire University of Maryland community (I am a grad student.).

I find it incredibly troubling that the university felt that security on Metro is so abominable that they needed to issue a warning about it, and encourage the UMD community to utilize shuttles and escorts.

Past emails from the Department of Public Safety have included "crime alerts" (muggings and robberies on and around campus), fraudulent emails and such, thought I can't recall any that started with "safety advisory."

Were I a parent whose 17 or 18 year old were considering UMD, Howard, Catholic, GW, AU or GMU such communication would certainly make me think twice about the school, the community and the safety of the entire metro DC area.

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+19 Vote up Vote down

Matt G · 737 weeks ago

In addition...I have a short story about good ol L'Enfant. On Tuesday at about 4:45, a young rapscallion grabbed an iPod out of a woman's hand on the blue/orange level at L'Enfant as I was coming down a crowded escalator (that was working!). A man, clearly outraged, dropped his bag, lunged at this troublesome teenager, grabbed the iPod out of his hands and gave it back to the woman. The child then squirmed loose just as a Transit police officer who had witnessed the attempted theft was running toward them down the platform. The kid ran up the escastairs with the lady transit cop in hot pursuit.

A friend of mine said to me yesterday that Metro should be like R rated movies - no one under the age of 17 admitted without an adult.

I know I for one fear to expose my electronic gadgets at L'Enfant...and as a Green Line rider, I'm feeling less safe there than at crime-ridden Southern Avenue, which is saying a lot.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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abc · 737 weeks ago

Good for that guy. Metro should take away the salary for a year from one of it's worthless cops who sit around at the least dangerous stations violating the not eating rule and give it to him.

And the cop situation just speaks to how bad metro is. How can there be only one cop on the platform at L'Enfant at rush hour knowing that it has become the center of crime for the worthless teenage ghetto scum?

To bad I wasn't at the top of the escalator. I would have given him a nice kick in the balls that would have sent me all the way down to where the cop was.

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jacob · 737 weeks ago

What's funny to me is they got all those "Metrorail Supervisors" with those white shirts that stand on the platform at L'Enfant, Gallery Place and Union Station during rush hour getting paid for doing nothing but hang around. What are they supposed to be doing exactly? You have the mechanics that are strategically posted at different stations to fix train malfunctions. You have the Station Managers that man the stations. You have OCC that directs the train operators and the railroad in general. You have Transit Police that control the crowds. What the hell do they do? And it is my understanding that they even get paid overtime for a few hours a day during each rush hour doing this special "platform duty". They normaly get paid somewhere around $35 and hour. At overtime that's multiplied by 1.5($52.5 an hour), or double($70 an hour), depending on how many hours they worked.
I say get rid of them, and hire more Transit Police Officers. The officers aren't worthless, we just need more of them. They are more deserving of this money, not those clowns with the funny white shirts pretending they are doing something.

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Dan · 737 weeks ago

I was on the L'Enfant platform a few minutes after this and noticed an increased police presence, perhaps about 4 or 5 cops on the Branch Ave/Huntington. They were telling teenagers in the area who appeared to be loitering, or perhaps had just been in an altercation, that they had to leave the station on the next train. I don't know if it relates to the event that Matt G described but it was right around the same time.

I wonder where all of these police were when this event happened? It does seem like police in strong numbers can be summoned in reaction to an event, just not to prevent one.

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abc · 737 weeks ago

I find it disgusting that safety warnings is the best they can do. Let's be honest the real problem is no one is doing anything about these gangs of black teenagers. They are wasting resources bag checking little old ladies and us working people trying to get to work on time so that our taxes can go to these kids whose parent(s) sit around and do nothing but drugs all day long. All the police departments including the metro one need to start putting resources into dealing with this problem. And we need to band together and decent people and if we see someone being attacked we need to do whatever it takes to make them stop in mass. If they are a group of 10 they aren't going to be able to fight off the 200 other people in the metro station.

24 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Matt G · 737 weeks ago

A tad racist and presumptive, but I see your point.

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ABCDEF · 737 weeks ago

It's not racist when it is mostly black teenagers beating us up and stealing our ipods. ABC wasn't trying to be racist, but rather state the facts. The white teens with pimples leave me alone. It's the black teenagers that say vulgar nasty things to me and that scare me to death.

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Matt G · 737 weeks ago

But it IS racist when assuming all those trouble-making black kids' parents are doing drugs all day long. It's entirely possible they're working multiple jobs and being forced to follow Metro's bad bus schedules to get from job A to job B in order to attempt to support their family. I bet it's difficult to parent your kid when you're forced to go to these extremes in this economy just to put food on the table.

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ABCDEF · 737 weeks ago

Matt, you are right. It's so easy to say what I just said. There is no simple solution. And putting a group of kids in a category has never solved any issues. Metro needs to hire urban planners, or something. I don't know. All I know is that it's a bad system and it needs a major overhaul. As an aside, no one has ever tried to steal my ipod because I still have that tiny shuffle, it's old and nobody wants it. Hahaha.

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Mezz · 737 weeks ago

So sad that your IQ is showing.

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PCScum · 725 weeks ago

Even more sad that's it's at least 100 points higher than yours.

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Just Sayin' yo · 737 weeks ago

and if police start profiling black teenagers more than they already do we'll have a Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson rally in no time.....

Everyone should know by now 90% of the gangs/crews/hoods in the D.C. area are black, thats a given theres no poor white people in these parts and hispanic gangs don't do shit for the most part. The problem now is do you profile and discriminate every group of black teenagers you see? Because if thats the case you might as well go back to Jim Crow.....

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abc · 737 weeks ago

I think a big part of the problem is the police are afraid to of doing anything because they are afraid that then people will start screaming racist at them. And the parents of the teen frequently do. So we choose to let people get physically hurt out of fear, that someone might violate the pc code.

There are also a lot of behaviors that are being ignored-they need to deal with the problem when they are violating less serious rules such as hoping gates, littering, etc and make it clear. Now because everyone is afraid of being called a racist, we have people getting seriously hurt.

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Guest · 737 weeks ago

I'm not a poor white person in these parts because I chose not to engage in activities that encourage "poor," such as drug use and having children. However, to keep my money so that I don't end up poor in this way too expensive city, I go from home to work, and back again, so as not to blow my money on overpriced entertainment. And I choose to grocery shop in Maryland so as not to pay the stupid 5 cent bag tax - and to get groceries that are actually fresh, as opposed to items that are set to expire in the next two days.

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Mezz · 737 weeks ago

I'm sure you listen to rap music and talk about how the man is keeping you down.

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Nope · 737 weeks ago

He probably throws ice tea bottles at innocent people just waiting for a train, harasses tourists, beats on guys reading books, spits on people at the doors close, and steals ipods, too. But it's ok, he's working two jobs to keep his family fed.

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UnSuck Fan · 737 weeks ago

Ummm, good luck with that. People hardly get involved in anything any more if it doesn't concern them or if they can't benefit from it.

And stop with the finger pointing at the black community. Each and every race has it’s own set of truants and troublemakers. If you’re going to finger point, do a generalization about youngsters in general. People on this board hate people like you. All you want to do is instigate trouble by complaining about black people. It isn’t a “racial” problem”; it’s just a problem period!!

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James · 737 weeks ago

When I saw a crime or other kind of general disruption on the Metro, 9 times out of 10 it was coming from African American teenagers. And that was pretty consistant over the 2+ years I took Metro. Is it racist of me to make that observation? Some might think so, but I'm simply giving you the honest account of what I experienced.

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@kara_h · 737 weeks ago

Wait! You actually saw 1 out of 10 who was not? :)

DC residents are largely of a single race, but it is hardly 100%, especially once you count metro users from VA and MD. So, statistically, the numbers should be far less than 90% .... why are they that high though?

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James · 737 weeks ago

I don't know how to explain it and I know that one person offering up their experience is far from scientific, but when I hear a disruption, shouting, etc. happening, it's almost always a group of African American teenagers. The (multiple) thefts I've witnessed were almost exclusively perpetrated by African American teenagers. I'm not offering up any type of social commentary here, it's just what I've seen in my experience.

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UnSuck Fan · 737 weeks ago

With so many people making comments openly and freely without ever having to reveal who they are causes a firestorm whenever there seems to be even a hint of mentioning of race. Everyone’s knickers get tied into such a knot so I just get tired of it regardless whether you’re just making an observation or not.

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GDopplerXT · 737 weeks ago

Do you disagree that it is overwhelmingly young black teenagers who act disorderly and violently on the Metro? You're trying to make this a bigger issue than it is - it's not about race, or youngsters in general, it's about youngsters on the Metro who are violent and criminal. If most of these people are of a single race, I don't think there is anything wrong with saying that. Again, if you don't think this is the case, then we can have that discussion.

With everything I've seen, heard, and witnessed, I tend to agree with abc. It doesn't sit well with my ideal vision of the city I live in, but I don't pretend I don't see it that way.

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jacob · 737 weeks ago

Doppler- What would be the point of discussing race at all? When you mention race, you are automatically bringing everyone of that race in the discussion. Yes, this is not about race, so why bring it up at all? Lets just deal with those that act disorderly, and not turn it into a racial debate.

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Mezz · 737 weeks ago

abc your an idiot! A total lack of intelligence thinking its only black teenagers who are causing the problem! Please education yourself.

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James · 737 weeks ago

"Education yourself."

Wow...

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Mezz=stupid · 737 weeks ago

DeNial is not just a river in Africa...

btw... you'RE not YOUR

and please "education" yourself.

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@kara_h · 737 weeks ago

Please cite any reports that show than non-black non-teenagers on metro cause a lot of troubles with any great frequency. Yes, there are black teens who do not cause troubles, but their peers make it seem like they all.

I do not know about you, but I do not worry too much that some elderly woman is going to start attacking people.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

Mezz, it seems the idiots are the majority on here today.

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James · 737 weeks ago

You're throwing your lot in with THAT guy? Yeesh....

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Just Sayin' yo · 737 weeks ago

People don't use common sense, don't be cocky. This means don't think your invincible and walk around with expensive shit in your hand. This is ordinary urban city shit. Ride the NYC subway or Chicago El with an iPad or IPhone or whatever in your hand and you'll be robbed sooner or later thats just how it is out here. The problem with the DC area is that too many people are from places we're street smarts aren't required and think D.C. is sweet, whens its no where near it lol. The murder rate maybe declining but robberies and assaults are way up.

33 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Metro Sucks · 737 weeks ago

Yes, because its our fault we're getting robbed. Nevermind the tard actually committing the crime.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

Considering that there are ads on the trains warning of this happening. Considering that there are lots of posts and comments online warning that this happens. How can anyone be surprised if their stuff gets taken out of their hands? Metro has made an effort to inform people and warn of this, as has the media. So, yes, it is your fault. That doesn't make it right, but use some common sense and put your valuables away.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

No no no. NO! It isn't your fault when someone breaks the law. Yes, it's helpful that Metro posts the signs, but don't you dare suggest that someone who is law abiding is at fault. That's as bad as defending a rapist because a woman dressed "like she was asking for it".

Don't apologize for lawbreakers. Just don't.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

I thought I covered that with the "That doesn't make it right" part. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? People can't just stand there waiting to be victimized, they need to take action themselves. Comparing stealing an ipod to rape is awful and in no way am I defending or apologizing for the lawbreakers.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

Oh, my bad. I thought when you said "So, yes, it is your fault" that you were implying that...um.. it is your fault. Silly me for not understanding that when you said "So, yes, it is your fault" you mean "no, it is not your fault".

You are wrong. This is not about personal responsibility. This is about crime. Each and every one of us should feel able to use a phone, ipod, whatever on a train or platform. And people like you who blame the victim just make it easier for the criminals and negligent police.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

So you don't lock your car or even your front door at night? Because we should all be able to go to bed with unlocked doors and expect to not get robbed. Crime is a reality. Clearly you need a reality check. With our police forces and judicial systems and constant outcry for morality lessons people still get robbed, whether its their ipod or their car or their house. There is nothing wrong with being prepared and if you chose to not prepare yourself, the YOU are putting YOURSELF at risk.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

By your reasoning, it's not that we should all lock our car doors. You are implying we should not even have cars, because they might get stolen.

Stop apologizing for criminals. They are the ones at fault.

Your attitude will allow Metro to say "well, if people don't use iphones in the train, they won't get stolen. So we don't need to put more police in the trains." I want to use my phone, listen to music, whatever, and not worry that I'm going to get jacked.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

I don't understand how you could reach that as my reasoning. Perhaps you should re-read what I wrote a little slower. And I hope you don't get jacked, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you do.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

So here's the scenario you are advocating:
-------------
Judge: You are charged with stealing an iphone on the Metro. How do you plead?

Defendent: Innocent, your honor. See, that guy was talking on his iphone. I could see it in his hand. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't help myself. I had to take it.

Judge: Oh, now I understand. You are hereby acquitted of all charges.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

That is a huge leap you're making there. At NO time have I advocated the rights of the criminal. With your intelligence in question, I'm going to stop engaging you.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

...wondering if Radner is either (a) a criminal who doesn't want to be held responsible for his crimes, or (b) a Metro cop who doesn't want to be responsible for public safety.

For many of us, riding Metro is time we can catch up on email, read, or play games. On our personal electronics. Saying we shouldn't use them on the train is wrong.

Sometimes TVs get stolen from homes. Does that mean the Mr. Radner shoudn't watch TV in his house. Of course not. One should not give up rights and freedom because there are bad people out there. Instead, we hold the bad people responsible.

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James · 737 weeks ago

So by telling the victim that it's their fault for having their property stolen, whose rights are you advocating for? You're clearly not advocating for the rights of the victim. The only other person in this scenario is the criminal.

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WTF · 737 weeks ago

Or, Truth.

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James · 737 weeks ago

"How can anyone be surprised if their stuff gets taken out of their hands? Metro has made an effort to inform people and warn of this, as has the media. So, yes, it is your fault."

Those are your words friend. Victims of crime are just that....victims. What's wrong with you?

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

Why be a victim if you don't have to be! Put your phone away and it isn't an issue, is it? You use your personal electronics as a form of protest? I 'should' be able to do this, so I do, then cry fowl when bad things happen that I could of prevented? What's wrong with you?

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James · 737 weeks ago

No, I use my phone so I can make and receive calls. It's why I pay to have one. Whether you realize/like it or not, your words and line of reasoning shifts the blame to an innocent victim.

I guess I'll just sell my car and house because I'm so obviously begging thieves to steal from me while I use the things I buy with my hard-earned money as a form of protest.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

You guys are grossly missing the point.

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James · 737 weeks ago

No. YOU are the one missing the point. The victims of crimes are victims, and the perpetrators of crimes are criminals. The place the blame on the former is offensive.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

Well then be offended, but with your ipod not stolen. This was never about advocating for anyone's rights, it's clearly about not letting yourself become a victim. If your ipod gets stolen, you don't have an ipod no matter how offended you are. Crime is a reality, which I've already said. Criminals steal things unless you work to prevent it. If you just stand there and let yourself become a victim that is your choice, but it will not bring back your ipod. Like I wrote to Anon, when your intelligence comes into question (which it clearly has, because you completely miss my "line of reasoning"), I'm going to stop engaging.

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James · 737 weeks ago

You said earlier in reference to the victim of a crime that 'yes, it is your fault.'

Since you clearly think a victim is more responsible than a criminal, I call your humanity into question, and will also stop engaging. I can only hope that it doesn't take you becoming the victim of a crime to realize how asinine your statements today have been.

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ms_randall@yahoo.com · 737 weeks ago

Actually, I agree with Radner. This is about crime but it's also about personal responsibility.

Ipod/Iphone snatching on the Metro is no secret, so people need to take precautions to protect themselves and protect their property.

No, you cannot equate getting your cell phone snatched to rape. But if I were to leave the keys to my car on the top of my car roof and then I'm shocked and amazed that someone took my property, you probably wouldn't have any sympathy for me. So, like Anon said, keep your cell phones and MP3 players out of sight and there's less likelyhood that they'll get stolen.

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James · 737 weeks ago

You also cannot equate leaving your car keys on top of the roof of your car to using your cell phone in public. Doing something like that actually IS an invitation for someone to steal from you. You might as well say that any woman whose purse is stolen should have known better for carrying a purse. You and Radner sound like quite the apologists.

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abc · 737 weeks ago

What exactly do you suggest we do with all our valuables? Given that we have to at least pay our fare and for whatever else we are doing so we have to bring a wallet or purse with money or at least a smart trip card. My grandmother who when she was alive used to have a fake wallet/part of her purse full of pins-but with the stupid bag checks, they would probably turn around and say it is a weapon or something crazy.

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

Put it in your pocket. Carry your bag close to your person or wrap the strap around you. Carry your bag inside your coat. Don't put your wallet in your back pocket. These are city living tips 101.

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James · 737 weeks ago

So....wallet stolen from my back pocket = my fault

and

wallet stolen from anywhere else on my person = crime?

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Guest · 737 weeks ago

I will not live in fear. I will not live as if everyone around me is a barbaric fool. YOU are the problem for living in fear. We must advocate for ourselves.

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Ummm · 737 weeks ago

Everyone around you IS a barbaric fool.

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abc · 737 weeks ago

I agree with you here. We shouldn't have to fear living our lives because of teenage gangsters whose parents scream racist every time the police try to stop them. One thing dc, chicago, and ny all have in common is messed up justice systems. If these teenagers have the guts to attack full grown adults, then they can rot in jail like full grown adults.

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@kara_h · 737 weeks ago

Ah, blame the victim. I am guessing you also hold that victims of rape were always asking for it, right?

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Radner · 737 weeks ago

Again with the 'read what I wrote, but a little more slowly'. For you to compare theft of an ipod to rape is atrocious. Sure, I'll blame the victim for taking out their expensive electronics and waving them around and expect that they don't get stolen. If you're dumb enough to do this, sure you deserve it.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

Mr. Radner, could you post your address? I'm sure many of us would like to come to your house, help ourselves to some of your expensive electronics, and then hold you responsible.

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James · 737 weeks ago

I've never seen anyone waving their phone around in public. What I HAVE seen is someone using their phone to make and receive calls, which is the whole point of having a cell phone in the first place. By your line of reasoning,we should all just go back to using land lines because the very act of paying for the convenience of a cell phone puts a target on our back.

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A-non · 737 weeks ago

So using your cell phone to make or take a call all of a sudden is 'waving them around?' If I'm attacked and beaten up on the Metro am I at fault for simply standing there?

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UnSuck Fan · 737 weeks ago

Maybe it’s just something with UMD and the other universities/colleges, but I’m glad they’re taking the time to warn people about metro being unsafe as it seems like WMATA has dropped the ball on keeping the public informed (other than “If you see something; say something”). It could also be that I don’t know where to find it on their website. I’ve long ago given up looking at their site except for occasionally using it to get around if I’m going to some place near a train station or a bus stop that I haven’t been to before. Again, I get all of my news here as well as from the Tweets about Metro column. Thanks UnSuck and fellow contributors!!

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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@SchuminWeb · 737 weeks ago

I think that this is a bit overkill. When I was in college, I got the distinct feeling with constant notifications and such that they were fostering a "the boogeyman is out to get you" attitude amongst the college community, with someone waiting to rape, rob, or otherwise harm you around every corner. No one is saying that the incidents on Metro are anything less than terrible to have happen, but these sorts of campus alerts are a different problem.

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UnSuck Fan · 737 weeks ago

Yes, it could be seen as overkill and leave us all feeling paranoid. Maybe both WMATA and colleges/universities should make people more aware, but not do it so they make us tune them out. At least for WMATA, perhaps if they had it be more visible on their website. Again, I’m sure it’s there, I just don’t know where. How about putting it as a reminder on their crime blotter page? It’s not up-to-date, but wouldn’t they be getting at least a crumb of recognition for just mentioning it at all?

I guess the best thing we can do, SchuminWeb, is to be aware of our surroundings. Too many of us these days are so absorbed it what we are doing!

Back to the original post....I also think it’s a good idea for UMD to remind their students about security escorts. I don’t know why students don’t take advantage of that service. When I took a night class, I always called for a security escort. It’s what they are there for and it’s why this service is provided for them.

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Chris · 737 weeks ago

I would venture to guess that this has way more to do with liability than anything else. Yes, the college isn't liable for what happens to a student on the metro, but I can imagine that if something DID happen, their parents would immediately hold the school responsible (whether legally viable or not).

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Kathryn · 737 weeks ago

I read the WTOP coverage of the union member threats and was left with an impression that the rank and file operators and staff are demoralized. No wonder service is so bad. If you feel unappreciated, and your union leader keeps to herself, and then you face economic cuts, why would you go to that extra bit of effort to provide good customer service? It's management 101.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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@kara_h · 737 weeks ago

Maybe, but why demoralized? Since their average salary is more than the average salary of their customers I hardly will cry any tears for them.

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GDopplerXT · 737 weeks ago

Come on, be serious. Money does not equal happiness or satisfaction. Do you think that all billionaires are by definition very very happy?

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Rich · 737 weeks ago

I catch my train at L'Enfant every evening, it can be an adventure. What I've found is when the police are there the 'young rapscallions' (love that, thanks) tend to tone down the screaming, running into people, throwing crap down the railings, etc.. But one thing I can't figure out is why the police tend to group together like it's some sort of social event. There will be 5-6 of them in a huddle in the center of the platform so at the ends of the platform the same nonsense happens. Why not spread out a bit and cover a larger area?

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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UnSuck Fan · 737 weeks ago

I completely agree with what you said! When I see them grouped together, I tend to think that it's a social event too. I understand that it might be easier to apprehend someone if there is more than one officer together, but if they are spread out around the station they can cover more area and there is still that chance that one of them can run towards the problem and still be there when something happens.

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Dan · 737 weeks ago

I've noticed this too -- they tend to crowd on the Branch Ave / Huntington platform.

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Todd · 737 weeks ago

the police are afraid to go in there alone!

The other day when I heard an announcement from the head of Metro security that started off, "if you need police help on Metro," my first thought was "you're in real trouble."

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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abc · 737 weeks ago

I certainly get that, and would like to add no police officer should ever be sent there alone, the higher ups need to assign their officers to stations and make sure there are enough of them there to deal with the little thugs.

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@hurricanedc · 737 weeks ago

A single officer wouldn't be bad if he was outfitted more like an Army Ranger and less like your usual police officer.

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WTF · 737 weeks ago

When seconds count, Metro police are only an hour away.

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MLC · 737 weeks ago

DC school kids are a menace regardless of race. For anything to really change it's going to take a Bernie Goetz type of incident to make people wake up to the problem.

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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WTF · 737 weeks ago

We can only hope.

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ValerieJ. · 737 weeks ago

I just googled Bernie Goetz. So now I learned something new today. Plus it was an interesting read. I hope I don't go Bernie Goetz on anyone because I'm about to lose it with the crazies on the metro. Just yesterday a lady on a very packed yellow line screamed at me because my purse accidently grazed her newspaper from where I was standing. I was so embarassed because everyone looked at me.

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

Valerie, yes! I've had the same thing happen to me. My bag brushed against some lady, and she went freakin' nuts! I'm like "hey, you're on PUBLIC transportation, it happens."

But the worst was yesterday: on a very crowded Red train, there was a woman with a baby carriage. When she wanted to get off, several of us moved out of the car. After she exited and we tried to get back on, the others who were still on the car all moved into the space she vacated. They took the opportunity to open their newspapers, Kindles, etc., and took more space than they had been occupying, and it was an ordeal just to get back on the train. Sorry, but your right to hold your newspaper at arms length does not override my right to get back on the train.

Seriously, what is wrong with all these d-bags?!?

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@NoPants_McGee · 737 weeks ago

You didn't hear about the tea incident? TBD reports on it here. I only remember it because I was on the train, though not in that car.

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One take · 737 weeks ago

The violence on Metro is getting worse, yet the response seems to be less and less effective. A warning is merely reiterating what is already common knowledge on Metro. What aren’t actual measures being taken to improve the security of Metro? Besides the poor leadership of Metro, it’s also undoubtedly a financial issue. Why isn’t there enough money to improve the public transportation system of the Capital of the United States? That fact alone is truly unbelievable. It is time for the law authorities to implement an extreme clean up of Metro as was done in removing the dealers and strip clubs out of Times Square in NYC, for example. Without this, nothing will change. Seemingly, the parents, families and communities turn their back and don’t even bother on setting any kind of example of how to act for these violent thugs. I remember last Christmas I watched a story on the local news and local people were being interviewed. It was about theft, and how it was wrong to give a ‘present’ to someone that had been stolen; even as a Christmas present. And tell me why do we even have to see stories like these on the news….? Very telling indeed.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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abc · 737 weeks ago

I don't know if this helps to answer the question on where the money for security is going, but the metro police has a ridiculous amount of administration and not enough actual police out there. Additionally, they aren't being put at the stations they need to be put at. The money from the administration positions could be used to hire actual police officers.

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One take · 737 weeks ago

Thanks for the feedback. And you’re right, I, for one, rarely see an officer at the station(s) that I frequent. And if I do, it seems like a 'temporary show of force' after something bad happens. But after a day or two, it's back to business as usual. Quite discouraging I must say.
Cheers,

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One take · 737 weeks ago

I grow tired of people hiding behind the Political Correctness defense. This is truly and American phenomena. Any educated person realizes that the professional in a business suit or the elderly person pulling their shopping cart is not going to assault you even if they are African-American. But who are committing the majority of these crimes on metro? Like it or not, it is African-American teens. It’s important in ANY urban setting to know your surroundings and know who you need to look out for. For example, in other cities where I’ve travelled like Nairobi, Singapore or Jakarta, I’m looking for a totally demographic. However, on the DC Metro, I’m looking out for members of this above mentioned group. Am I looking at ALL African American teens? Like the kid holding a National Cathedral School notebook, or the one riding with his mother? No. Am I looking for the ones swearing, spitting while taunting and threatening innocent people? Yes. Does that make me a racist? That is totally fine. Besides, my own race is ‘Other’ and reality isn’t racist, only people can be ‘accused’ as such; in light of what reality actually is.

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John · 737 weeks ago

Screw this story, METRO is proposing that they close at midnight on weekends!

4 replies · active 737 weeks ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 737 weeks ago

Thanks for stopping by.

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John · 737 weeks ago

Not criticizing, just think that story is a much bigger issue that needs to be Un-sucked :)

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WTF · 737 weeks ago

They should close at 8.

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ABCDEF · 737 weeks ago

for what reason?

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Kathryn · 737 weeks ago

As a city dweller, and it doesn't matter what city really, I don't recommend flashing anything trendy or expensive on the street or in the metro. If you really must use an IPod, buy dark colored earbuds, because the original white ones are a flashing neon sign to the thieves. When Timberlands become trendy, don't wear them. Ditto for North Face and any other brands that kids are getting shot over. It's sad but there's a reality about showing off in the urban environment. Be ready to defend your stuff if you insist on wearing it.

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Guest · 737 weeks ago

"MTPD police officers have tri-state jurisdiction with responsibility for a variety of law enforcement and public safety functions in transit facilities throughout the Washington, DC Metropolitan area."

"Mission Statement
The Mission of the Metro Transit Police Department is to provide protection for Metro patrons, personnel, transit facilities, and revenue.

"Vision Statement
The Metro Transit Police will protect and serve our customers and employees with dignity and respect, through innovative ideas, new technologies, teamwork, integrity, a commitment to our mission, and the oath of office. "
http://wmata.com/about_metro/transit_police/

With respect, the UMd Safety Advisory would seem to indicate a MISSION FAIL of collosal proportions. That is, until you read what Metro Transit Police thinks crime prevention means and who is responsible for it. #MISSION SHAME
http://wmata.com/about_metro/transit_police/crime...

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Joolz · 737 weeks ago

Don't forget about the adult criminals roaming around in our public transportation system. My mom, who may be older but is awesomely streetwise, stopped a would-be pickpocket in the act at Metro Center. He was of course completely silent and especially good at blending in and scurrying off.

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Frog · 737 weeks ago

Apparently, loitering laws do not apply to urban youth in DC.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Anon · 737 weeks ago

I remember hearing somewhere that there are actualy NO anti-loitering laws in DC. This explains why the homeless panhandlers can congregate, and the police cannot actually do anything about it, unless they are really harassing someone.
It was something about how DC is the only large city without these kind of laws.
Maybe some of the lawler-ly types here can shed some light on this?

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tricky ricky · 737 weeks ago

what a joke this domain is for sale 200.00 what a bunch of chumps

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Rich · 736 weeks ago

What gets me the most about the Dulles extension is that it's catering to a suburban life that eventually we're going to have to end. Strengthen what we already have, and if you choose to live in Herndon, deal with the roads.